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People looking at India differently during CWG: Kailash Kher

New Delhi, Oct 12 (IANS) Kailash Kher, who composed the Commonwealth Games theme song "Yahan Jashn Manao...", Tuesday said the controversies surrounding the Games surfaced as "we are a nation with strong opinions" but now people are looking at India with a "different perspective".

"People are looking at India with a different perspective during the Games. The Games have had a big impact on India tourism. They (residents of the country) should be more careful. There has to be a little humility so that feelings (of people) are not hurt," Kher told reporters here.

"The controversies surrounding the Commonwealth Games were bound to erupt because India is a big country. If you want to be famous, create a controversy," he said.

According to Kher, "music is magic, it changed mindsets".

"Music can bridge divides between two countries. Old ideas have changed. People are more open about India now and want to know about its art and music. We must grow out of Bollywood," the musician said.

Kher was in the capital to perform with Indo-Australian band "Five Elements" as a prelude to a major international festival of South Asian arts in Australia "Parramasala" which celebrates Australia's growing cultural links with South Asian region Nov 4-8.

The festival was announced at a business club of Australia function. The Business Club Australia is the Australian government's official programme at the Delhi CWG 2010.

"I thank god that the Games are happening in India. It has put India on the global map. My song was also a hit. After I sang it Oct 6, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit liked it so much that she is now releasing it as an album. The Games have given the music industry an opportunity to work on one platform. So many musicians have composed songs about the Games," he said.

Kher has just released a track for the movie "Allah Ke Bande".

"It is about juvenile crime and is thought provoking," he said breaking into the song.